trees, shrubs, woody lianas and one herbaceous genus (viola)
Distribution
cosmopolitian, but only one genus (viola) reaching the temperate regions
Floral characters
regular to bilaterally symmetrical,bisexual, solitary or in racemes; bracts and bracteoles present; sepals 5, free petals 5, free, the lowest with a spur projecting between the adjacant sepals. stames 5, sometimes with the lower pair having appendages, sometimes the filaments united. ovary superior, with 1 chamber and 3 parietal placentas bearing many ovules
Leaf characters
alternate or occasionally opposite, sometomes forming a basal rosette; simple, sometimes lobbed ; entire to serrate; with pinnate to palmate venation
Stipules
present
Fruit characters
capsule
Glands
present, nectaries
Hairs
present, often simple
Latex
absent
Uses
ornamentals: esp.Hymenanthera, Viola medical use: esp. Corynostylis, Hybanthus Essential oils from Viola
Chemical characters
often with saponins and/or alkaloids
Distribution maps
(online von http://www.mobot.org/MOBOT/research/APweb/ . Dort zitiert wie unter jedem Diagramm vermerkt):
Violoideae (Violaceae)
map: from Hultén 1958, 1971; George 1982; Hultén & Fries 1986; Hekking 1988 - incomplete for South America
